THE OLD FAVOURITE. (Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition)

Member Name: thingywhatsit

Product:	Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
Date:	27/11/03 (314 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: EASY TO USE

Disadvantages: NONE

WINDOWS 98

The reason that I am writing this opinion is because there is a lot of controversy at the moment about whether to stay with Windows 98 or whether to move on, take in progress, and use Windows XP.

Like many other users of computers, I am inexperienced with technology, and although I realise that Microsoft are unpopular, I also realise that unpopularity happens when one particular firm seem to dominate the market. But why do they dominate the market ? Because they know what the average person needs in the way of a computer system, and have catered for people who, like me, know very little about technology.

WINDOWS 98 overview

Windows 98 is user friendly. Everything that a person could want to find on their computer is easily accessible. You have an opening screen with Icons (or shortcuts to programs), and many people that use this system will be happy with their computer experience because Microsoft have thought out all the pitfalls that happen when a person is new to computing.

I started my computer experience with Windows 98, and I find that most programs function correctly with this system.

From the start menu button at the bottom of the screen, you can go into many areas of the computer with ease and confidence that you are doing the right thing. There is a RUN Button which takes you into anything that you want to run from a CD Rom including music CDs and program CDs, although this run button does more than this. From here, you can access your Register and change things that you do not like, although this is more for the experienced user, and there are simpler ways for the less experienced user.

Next you have a HELP section which I have used time and time again, because I want to learn. This button has been invaluable, and helps me find my way around the computer. It is like a manual of how Windows 98 works. You can browse through all the subjects and find answers. For me, this is simple.


The SETTINGS button takes you into the control panel which is really easy to use, as all parts of your computer are listed in the control panel and you can access each one of them and look at the settings and see if you are happy with them. Also there is an ADD/REMOVE programs icon, and from here all additions and deletions can be made, and you can be confident that they have been properly removed.

Next there is a DOCUMENT button. This one is where all your own files are kept, and has been split into different sections, like My Music, My Photos, etc. You can add other folders, and rename folders, and move files from folder to folder by dragging them, and this feature is so easy, so that all your documents can be kept in order. I like this. I am an untidy person, although the dragging facility allows me to be tidy with minimal effort.

The next button that you find is FAVOURITES. This lists all the sites on the Internet that you have chosen and put into your Favourite list, making them easily accessible from the opening screen. I like this and use it a lot.

After this comes PROGRAMS, and this is where Windows 98 takes you into all your programs and into all the accessories to help you to keep your computer in trim. What I like about this is that you can access by pressing ACCESSORIES, then SYSTEM TOOLS, all the tools that you need to keep your computer clean, i.e. Disc Cleanup, Disk Defrag (which puts files back where they should be), maintenance wizard and system information. The ease of use is what I like, and the simplicity of performing tasks that I would otherwise struggle with. By going into System Information, you can change the amount of programs that start when you fire up your computer, simply by pressing tools and then unticking boxes of the programs that automatically start and slow up the computer. It is not always necessary to have all these programs running, and simple actions like this can speed up your computer.


There are accessories that I do not use, although being a curious creature I have at one time been in to each of them to see what they are and how they function. All are simply explained, although some do not apply to me, like address book, word pad, etc. , which have all been superceded at some time by my own programs, such as Word and Outlook Express.

Going back to the main Start button, when you press this, you also have a section that is called WINDOWS UPDATE. Technology is evolving at an alarming rate and of course Microsoft have to update programs with the evolution of technology. Updating is simply a matter of pressing a button, and Microsoft give you a choice of files, some essential, some not so essential, but they leave you with the choice of which files you download.

I am comfortable with WINDOWS 98 and I am not comfortable with WINDOWS XP, and at the end of the day, people can chose a system that they are comfortable with, and for me WINDOWS 98 is it. No-one can assume that we are all technical wizards, and Windows 98 is easier to use than XP. I have used both systems, and I do not like the layout of XP, which seems to assume that you have experience on a computer, whereas 98 does not.

SUMMING UP

Too many people give too much advice on new technology without backing their advice up. Yes, you should have this system, or you should try this system. Many come to mind, although no-one can convince me to go forward at this time because WINDOWS 98 does all the things that I want it to. I use the computer a lot. I depend upon it for my work, and for my play, and I swear by the system I have come to know and love.

People are quick to blame WINDOWS 98 for technical problems, although I am aware that most of my technical problems are not caused by Windows, but caused by my lack of experience, and silly mistakes that I make like deleting things in an incorrect manner, and using too many programs at one time.
I am a multi tasker. I admit it, although WINDOWS 98 never lets me down, and is a solid base for me.

The only disadvantage with WINDOWS 98 is that they do not have a program for turning back in time, thus undoing errors that you make. XP do, although on the basis of just this one program, I would not change, because I have covered this in another way and have a program that allows me to go back in time to before an error occurred.

If you have WINDOWS 98 and you are trying to decide whether to upgrade, ask yourself whether WINDOWS 98 does everything that you need it to do. I am sure that the answer will be a resounding YES.

I love it.

Thankyou for reading.

RACHEL

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